Reviews with content warning for Body shaming - Cackle

Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

17 reviews

egarlock's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This is not a good book. 2.5 stars because good and enjoyable aren’t the same thing. It’s fine as a piece of fluff, I guess, but it’s trying to make a big feminist statement and largely fails. When I say trying, I really mean bludgeoning. Don’t get me wrong, I love witchcraft as feminist allegory. I think everyone should read Once and Future Witches. This author probably could benefit from therapy though. The protagonist starts off as a sad sack serial monogamist wallowing after agreeing to a mutual breakup she doesn’t want. Annie moves upstate where she meets the mysterious and empowered Sophie who supposedly shows her the path to self actualization and independence. Here be spoilers [The problem here is that Sophie is secretive and emotionally manipulative AF. Sophie is just as bad as the mediocre white dude Annie is sulking about, possibly worse. There is a thread of distrust and unease through the entire novel and had the author followed that to show Sophie as a toxic friend before eventually having Annie find her own power in some ending reminiscent of The Craft, this could have been a good book. Instead, we are told that Annie realizes she doesn’t need Sophie anymore, but she decides she still wants her in her life. I 100% do not believe that Annie can function without her fucked up codependence with Sophie. Also, the lesson is that being a single independent woman is the only path to self actualization and it creates a power that men and society will fear. I don’t think any woman needs to be romantically paired, but this is incredibly trite and reductive. It’s really a shame because this book had so much potential.]

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nika_nix's review

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dark relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was fine. Extremely readable and easy to follow, I'd categorize it as a cozy horror since the "horror" aspects were very mild and not that big of a part of the book. This was mosty a "coming of age" of the main character who felt like I read from a 17-year-old, and not a 30-year-old. The plot had a lot of potential, but I feel like it didn't meet that potential and I was underwhelmed by the time I finished it. I still had a fun time and I'm glad I've read it, I'd probably read more from the author, but I don't think I'll remember this one for long.

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killmoore_'s review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cackle was so fun!

A warm, cozy, at times spooky read that is perfect for fall.

Despite wanting to punch Annie in the face occasionally, I was really pleased with how well flushed out the characters were, and was dying to learn more about Sophie the entire time, and Ralph. Oh Ralph. I felt that we were going to have a transformation reveal at some point, but I'm not disappointed we didn't.

Powerful women helping powerful women. I dig it.

Tw: spiders. A lot of em.

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ilaxaria's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

3.0

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itsalina's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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rhiannonafternoon's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Delightfully maniacal. Ralph is the most endearing spider I’ve ever read about. Perfect to dip your toe into if you don’t read horror.

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bluelillybooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Menacing, magnanimous, magic.

Annie is a 30 year-old teacher who suffers from depression after her boyfriend broke up with her. She moves through life trying to be as inconspicious as possible, while her mind is haunted by anxiety. Now that she has to move cities and live on her own, she is confronted with her bad drinking habits and loneliness. Then she meets Sophie, who carries herself with a grace and confidence that inspires awe in Annie. They quickly become friends, but if Sophie is that wonderful, then why are the other villagers always nervous around her? And why are there so many spiders in Annie's appartment?

I have never before seen myself in a character as much as I saw myself in Annie. "Cackle" describes anxiety attacks, self-doubt and depressive symptoms in such an accurate way that I highlighted some of the passages to show to my therapist. Not even joking. I've seen some reviews calling Annie gullible and annoying, but girlies that's literally how anxiety works *shrugs*.

Without spoiling anything, because I think everyone should read this book, "Cackle" is about finding the courage to live life for yourself and all the magic in yourself that is just waiting to come out. Also spooky vibes!

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